Pan-Seared Hanger Steak with Brussels Sprouts, Potatoes, and Lemon-Herb Butter Recipe (2024)

Recipe Summary

Yield:

Serves 4 (serving size: about 6 oz. steak, 1 1/2 cups vegetables, 2 Tbsp. butter)

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If it's a new cut to you, trust us, it's definitely one worth exploring. Perfectly pan searing a steak is one of those essential kitchen skills that every home cook should master (don't worry, it's easy) in order to whip up an impressive, company-worth meal at the last minute or simply to treat yourself and/or your family to a special meal—any night of the week. And a simple-to-make compound butter dresses hanger steak up to appear far more sophisticated than its price tag might suggest. In fact, keeping a compound butter like this versatile Lemon-Herb variation on hand is an easy and awesome way to dress up any number otherwise average meals throughout the week. This recipe will leave you with plenty leftover, simply wrap it up and pop it in the freezer for later use. One final note on the compound better: Don't fear the anchovy. Anchovy paste (if you'd prefer, you can also use a couple of oil-packed anchovy fillets, mashed well with a fork, in place of the paste) will not infuse the butter with a fishy flavor; rather, it will provide an added element of richly subtle savoriness. Of course, you can always leave the anchovy out… but we'd highly encourage giving it a try. Using the tasty drippings left in your pan to sauté a quick veggie side dish is another delicious pro move that makes this one-pan meal perfect for even a hectic weeknight. A mix of Brussels sprouts, potatoes, and onions makes for a comforting side dish that balances out the richness of the meat and butter. Any leftover steak can (and should) be used to make an epic next-day steak sandwich or salad. Make this dish once, and we can almost guarantee that butter-basted seared steak + a quick, same-skillet veggie sauté will become a dinner game plan you'll come back to again and again. If you want to try the same technique with a different cut of steak, we'd suggest our Pan Seared Strip Steak with Mushrooms, Asparagus, and Vanilla-Cabernet Butter. And you can find more helpful technique tips for achieving a perfect sear on your steaks right here.

Ingredients

Lemon-Herb Butter
Steak with Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • Prepare the Lemon-Herb Butter: place softened butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add herbs, shallot, lemon zest, lemon juice, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper; beat until all ingredients are blended and smooth.

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  • Wrap Lemon-Herb Butter in a piece of plastic wrap; shape into a log (7 to 8 inches long). Chill log until firm, about 20 minutes.

  • Prepare the Steak with Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes: Place halved potatoes and water in a microwavable bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on HIGH until potatoes are slightly tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a plate, and discard water. Pat potatoes dry with paper towels. Set aside.

  • Heat a 10- to 12-inch cast-iron skillet over high. Sprinkle steak on both sides with pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, pressing gently into steak to adhere.

  • Heat olive oil in preheated skillet; add steak to hot oil, and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes. Turn, and cook on other side undisturbed, 3 to 4 minutes, adding butter to skillet, and spooning melted butter over steak while it cooks last 2 minutes, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion reaches 122°F, for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate, and drizzle with lemon juice; tent with aluminum foil to keep warm. Allow steak to rest 10 minutes before slicing.

  • Without wiping skillet clean, add potatoes to skillet over medium-high, and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts, onion, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring often, until Brussels sprouts are tender, onions are lightly browned, and potatoes are deeply browned, about 6 minutes.

  • Slice steak against the grain. Divide potato mixture and steak among plates. Add a pat of Lemon-Herb Butter to each, allowing butter to melt onto steak and vegetables. Serve immediately.

Pan-Seared Hanger Steak with Brussels Sprouts, Potatoes, and Lemon-Herb Butter Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to cook hanger steak? ›

The best way to cook hanger steak is on the grill, which adds to its flavor. However, there's no wrong way to learn how to cook hanger steak. You can also pan-sear it, sous vide it, or cook it in the oven or smoker.

Is hanger steak a good cut of steak? ›

hanger steak available in each 800+ lb. animal, this cut is as rare as it is delicious. Considered by many butchers to be one of the tenderest cuts of meat, it features deep intramuscular fat, or marbling, that, once prepared, provides a rich flavor that's undeniably juicy.

Is hanger steak the same as filet mignon? ›

Hanger steak is much less talked about than filet mignon, but it's surprisingly similar in texture. Filet mignon is well-known for being tender to the point of requiring minimal chewing to enjoy each bite. But, hanger steak is in a close second place for that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Does hanger steak need to be soaked? ›

Allowing the beef to sit in a marinade of your choice will really help increase the flavor and tenderness of the meat. You can let a hanger steak marinate for up to 24 hours for maximum flavor, but any amount of seasoning will boost the flavor of this cut of beef.

What's the difference between flank steak and hanger steak? ›

Flank steak is commonly used in Mexican fajitas and Chinese stir-fry recipes because it soaks up marinades easily and cooks quickly. Hanger steak "hangs" from the diaphragm of the cow, under its lower belly. It's also flat, like a flank steak, and tender and juicy like a filet.

What is hanger steak best for? ›

It was originally known as a "butcher's steak" since butchers kept and enjoyed it for themselves as consumers didn't know to ask for it, but is now a somewhat standard cut of meat in supermarket meat departments. Hanger steak is best marinated and grilled and is often the type of meat found in steak tacos.

Is hanger steak an expensive cut? ›

Is Hanger Steak Expensive? Although it's no longer the secret bargain it once was once, hanger steak is still a good value. It's typically much less expensive than cuts like strip, rib and tenderloin despite being as tender and flavorful.

What is another name for a hanger steak? ›

A hanger steak (US), also known as butcher's steak, hanging tenderloin, skirt (UK), or onglet, is a cut of beef steak prized for its flavor and tenderness. This cut is taken from the plate, which is the upper belly of the animal.

What is hanger steak called in French? ›

Onglet is the French name for a cut more commonly known in English as hanger steak.

What is hanger steak called in grocery store? ›

The Hanger Steak

It is also known as the “butcher's steak” because butchers would often keep it for themselves. It is a long, thin cut of meat that is a little tougher than skirt steak, but can be cooked in many ways.

Why is hanger steak so hard to find? ›

But anatomically, the hanger steak is derived from the diaphragm and a beef animal only has one diaphragm. Other cuts are limited because the originating muscle or “primal” is small, like the tenderloin. We get 10-12 tenderloin filets per animal. In contrast, each beef animal generates 300-400 pounds of ground beef.

What is a cowboy steak? ›

Cowboy steaks (aka Cowboy Ribeye Steaks, Bone-In Ribeye Steaks) are a more impressive version of a classic steakhouse favorite. Compared to a standard ribeye steak, these are larger, containing more meat beyond the eye, and a frenched (cleaned of meat & fat) portion of bone protruding from one end.

What do you eat with hanger steak? ›

One classic way to serve hanger steak is with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms complement the nuttiness of the steak, while the creamy potatoes provide a perfect balance. If you're feeling adventurous, try serving hanger steak with a side of chimichurri sauce.

Why does hanger steak taste like liver? ›

Proximity to strongly flavored organs like kidneys and liver often gives meat a discernible mineraly “offal” (not awful) flavor reminiscent of liver. The most notable case of this is in the hanger steak , where it is considered a feature and not a bug.

Why is there only one hanger steak? ›

It's called a hanger steak because it hangs from the cow's kidney below the tenderloin on the inside of the hindquarters. With just one hanger per cow, it's a highly sought after, prized cut that was typically only used by butchers who could access that portion of the cow.

Is hanger steak tough or tender? ›

Is Hanger Steak Tender? Hanger steak comes from a belly muscle that gets very little use so it's naturally tender when properly cooked. The cut usually has good marbling (interior veins of fat), increasing its tenderness. But there's a tough white membrane running down the middle of a whole steak.

Do you cut hanger steak with or against the grain? ›

It's generally easier to see them in tougher cuts like flank, hanger, and skirt steak than leaner tenderloins. Place the meat on your cutting board. Situate the meat so that the grain runs parallel to the longest side of the board. Cut against the grain.

References

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